‘The Godfather’ actor Alex Rocco dies, aged 79

Prolific actor also appeared in 'Episodes' on TV and 'The Wedding Planner' on the big screen

Prolific American actor Alex Rocco has died at the age of 79.

Rocco’s daughter, Jennifer, announced on Facebook on Saturday (July 18) that her father had passed away. She has yet to disclose his cause of death, though the actor is understood to have been battling cancer.

Rocco enjoyed a prolific five-decade film and TV career, but is perhaps best known for his role in 1972’s The Godfather, in which he played ill-fated casino owner Moe Greene. In 2012 the actor described this role as “without a doubt, my biggest ticket anywhere”.

Press

Rocco’s other notable film roles included 1996’s That Thing You Do!, directed by Tom Hanks, and 2001’s The Wedding Planner starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Lopez. On TV, he won an Emmy Award in 1990 for his supporting role in the sitcom The Famous Teddy Z. He remained active until shortly before his death and was seen more recently in US drama series Magic City and Matt LeBlanc’s BBC Two sitcom Episodes.

He is survived by his daughter, son and second wife, actress Shannon Wilcox, whom he married in 2005. His first wife, Sandie, whom he had married in 1966, passed away in 2002.